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Entry Level Physician Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Stanislaus County

Senior Physician Assistant

Modesto, CA

$123K - $150K/yr

This leadership position is distinguished from the entry-level Physician Assistant by the greater independence and expertise in job performance and by the progressive increase in quantity and quality ...

Stanislaus County, CA

Senior Physician Assistant

Modesto, CA · On-site

$123K - $150K/yr

This leadership position is distinguished from the entry-level Physician Assistant by the greater independence and expertise in job performance and by the progressive increase in quantity and quality ...

Gage Pediatrics

Physician's Assistant

Hanford, CA · On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Communicate with collaborating physician or specialist regarding patient care Preferred Qualifications * Entry-level experience in healthcare settings * Physician Assistant (PA) license * Ability to ...

Geo medical care PC

Be Seen First

Physician's Assistant

Brooklyn, NY · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Active Physician Assistant (PA) license Preferred Qualifications * Entry-level healthcare experience * Bachelor's degree * Proficiency in patient care and clinical procedures * Knowledge of medical ...

County of Tehama

Physician Assistant

Red Bluff, CA · On-site

$117K - $135K/yr

Three (3) years of professional experience as a Physician Assistant is highly desirable. Other ... Candidates who exceed entry level qualifications may be considered, with approval from the Board of ...

Archbold Medical Center

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Thomasville, GA · On-site

$81K - $109K/yr

Experience: Entry Level Required Skills: Must possess excellent clinical skills as a Physician Assistant. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and provide individualized care in the pre and post ...

Archbold Medical Center

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Thomasville, GA · On-site

$81K - $109K/yr

Experience: Entry Level Required Skills: Must possess excellent clinical skills as a Physician Assistant. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and provide individualized care in the pre and post ...

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Entry Level Physician Assistant information

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$25K

$47.8K

$68.5K

How much do entry level physician assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level physician assistant in the United States is $47,831.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $52,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Physician Assistant vs Medical Assistant?

AspectEntry Level Physician AssistantMedical Assistant
Required CredentialsMaster's degree, NCCPA certificationHigh school diploma, certification optional
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, physician officesDoctor's offices, clinics, outpatient settings
Job ResponsibilitiesDiagnosing, treating, prescribingAdministrative tasks, basic clinical support

Entry Level Physician Assistants and Medical Assistants both work in healthcare settings, but PAs have advanced training, can diagnose and treat patients, and require certification. Medical Assistants perform supportive clinical and administrative tasks with less formal education. The roles differ in scope, responsibilities, and credentials, making them distinct career paths within healthcare.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level physician assistants in their first year on the job?

Entry-level physician assistants often encounter challenges such as adapting to the fast pace of clinical settings, managing a diverse patient caseload, and developing confidence in making clinical decisions. Building effective communication skills to collaborate with supervising physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals is also essential. With time and mentorship, new PAs typically grow more comfortable with protocols, procedures, and patient interactions, which helps ease the transition into the role.

What is an entry level physician assistant?

An entry level physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who has recently graduated from an accredited PA program and obtained certification to practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. Entry level PAs perform a variety of tasks, such as taking patient histories, conducting physical exams, diagnosing illnesses, developing treatment plans, and prescribing medications. They work in diverse medical settings including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, and often collaborate closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff. As they gain experience, entry level PAs may specialize in areas such as emergency medicine, surgery, or pediatrics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Physician Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Physician Assistant, you need a graduate degree from an accredited PA program, national certification (PANCE), and a solid grounding in medical sciences and clinical practice. Familiarity with electronic medical records (EMRs), diagnostic tools, and basic procedural equipment is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, critical thinking, and adaptability help you build patient trust and collaborate with supervising physicians. These skills are crucial for delivering safe, effective care and integrating smoothly into healthcare teams.
More about Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Physician Assistant job openings:
What states have the most Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs are:
Entry Level Physician Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Physician Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,831 per year, or $23 per hour.

Physician Assistant - General Surgery (Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Columbia, SC

$85K/yr

Other

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description


This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications and subsequent cut-off dates are on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Physician Assistant Basic Requirements
  • Citizenship. Citizen of the United States [in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38, United States Code (U.S.C.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
  • Education. Graduate of a training program which is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or one of its predecessor organizations. Additionally, candidates must meet one of the following:
    1. Master's degree in any discipline; OR
    2. Bachelor's degree in any discipline with one year of experience as a Physician Assistant.
  • Certification. Must have successfully passed the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
  • Licensure. Physician Assistants must possess an active, current, full, and unrestricted license to practice in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia. Physician Assistants must maintain current registration in the State of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active and current licensure in that State.
  • Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
  • English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
Grade Determinations:Physician Assistant-I (PA-I)
  • Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for Physician Assistants. AND
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The following list of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) present the minimum skill set expected of an Entry Level Physician Assistant. This practice may include, but is not limited to:
    1. Ability to utilize the principles of Physician Assistant practice in the care of assigned patients to provide appropriate care.
    2. Ability to perform patient history and physical.
    3. Ability to formulate a plan and provide treatment to the patient.
    4. Ability to provide patient care that is abreast of changing concepts and advancements in the profession.
Physician Assistant-II (PA-II)
  • Experience and Education. The Physician Assistant at this grade is at the intermediate grade level and has had progressively increasing responsibility and experiences as indicated in the KSAs listed below. Individuals will have demonstrated the ability to analyze and solve more complex medical problems than at the entry level grade and can utilize their training in the successful practice of patient care and participate in team problem solving. Individuals demonstrate the KSAs of PA-II intermediate level by:
    • Two years of successful practice as a PA. OR
    • Successful completion of a Physician Assistant post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency. OR
    • A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Physician Assistants at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-II:
    1. Skills to analyze and solve complex medical problems.
    2. Ability to function autonomously and make independent medical decisions.
    3. Skill to incorporate training and experience into the successful practice of patient care including telehealth medical care.
    4. Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary environment for improvement of services for patient care.
    5. Ability to practice with colleagues and peers collaboratively.
Physician Assistant-III (PA-III)
  • Experience and Education. Physician Assistants at the PA-III grade are at the full performance level and lead and organize patient care independently, practice within multi-disciplinary teams, and coordinate all aspects of patient care across the health care system. They utilize advanced clinical knowledge and judgment in decision-making and evaluating outcomes. They function as experts in clinical practice and/or in areas related to the assigned roles and responsibilities, may serve as mentors for transitioning Physician Assistants, and may provide training for health care students. Individuals can demonstrate the KSAs for the full performance level by:
    • Three years of successful practice as a PA. OR
    • Successful completion of a Physician Assistant post-graduate residency program sponsored by VHA Office of Academic Affiliations or other postgraduate residency programs accredited by VA, ARC-PA, U.S. Armed Forces, or another accrediting agency and one year of professional practice as a PA. OR
    • A doctoral degree in a health-related field from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and one year of professional practice as a PA.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Physician Assistants at this level are not required to meet each individual KSA listed below to qualify, but should be able to demonstrate, develop, or acquire those not met upon appointment for PA-III:
    1. Ability to clinically evaluate facility patient care delivery systems and validate or identify barriers to safe and effective patient care.
    2. Skill to consistently demonstrate an elevated level of expertise and autonomy in diagnosing and treating seriously ill, multi-symptomatic patients through facility Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE).
    3. Ability to present clinical findings and recommendations to appropriate management officials.
    4. Ability to clinically facilitate the delivery of patient care in collaboration with health professionals, health managers, and other health care personnel.
    5. Ability to implement and initiate clinical changes to established treatment protocols based upon new medical literature research findings to enhance patient delivery care for improved patient outcomes.
    6. Ability to participate clinically in the development of the Physician Assistant patient care audit processes involving in-depth review and analysis of medical records.
Preferred Experience: Experience in General Surgery or surgical subspecialties, operating room experience, first assist, inpatient patient care, emergency patient care, pre and post operative patient care, familiar with patient consultations, medication management, coordination with other services, sound decision making skills, effective communication.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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